Columbus — Earnings Release 2010

Aug 19, 2010

News Details

Corporate | 19 August 2010 09:35

Columbus IT increases turnover and earnings in first half-year 2010

Columbus IT Partner A/S /

19.08.2010 09:35

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Press release
Ballerup, Thursday 19 August 2010

The Nordic region, Western Europe and the USA are all areas in which Columbus IT
has achieved growth in the first 6 months of 2010. Only Eastern Europe has shown
a slight decline. For the period as a whole, the management expresses
satisfaction with the company's result of DKK 5.4 million, compared to minus DKK
4.4 million last year. For the year as a whole, Columbus IT expects a turnover
of about DKK 890 million and EBITDA of DKK 50-55 million.

Columbus IT, Danish owned and listed on the stock exchange, is pleased to
announce a satisfactory first half-year result.

'An improvement in operating income of 23.1 per cent and a positive result of
DKK 5.4 million, compared to minus DKK 4.4 million last year, are the key
figures which clearly show that Columbus IT is essentially in good shape. Our
total turnover of DKK 441.8 million bears witness to significant advancement and
this, combined with a very promising pipeline, means that the first six months
of 2010 have been quite satisfactory. We are maintaining our positive
expectations for the year as a whole,' says Columbus IT's CEO Claus E. Hansen.

Columbus IT has shown growth in Western Europe and especially in the UK and
Norway the company has achieved impressive results. It is also pleasing to note
its considerable success on the American market in terms of both turnover and
results.

Eastern Europe is among the few markets to have proved challenging in the first
half-year. Turnover in Eastern Europe totalled DKK 80.6 million in the first
half-year of 2010, compared to DKK 87.3 million in the same period of 2009. In
Eastern Europe, Columbus IT had a positive EBITDA for the period of DKK 1.2
million.

'Columbus IT's focus on vertical solutions for companies in the retail,
foodstuff and production industries gives large-scale operational advantages, as
we only have to invest once in solution development, after which we can roll it
out in many markets. We sow once, but reap again and again. Customers are
increasingly demanding global, industry-specific solutions that do not require
special modification - and this is what Columbus IT is able to provide. In this
way, Columbus IT will come to define the industry standard within the selected
verticals on which we are focusing,' says Columbus IT's CEO Claus E. Hansen.

The first half-year of 2010 has also seen a takeover bid for Columbus IT.

'We take a positive view of the fact that Columbus IT is considered such an
attractive company that bids are being made for us. The board of directors
decided to reject the bid to acquire the company and given our very clear
strategy regarding the further development of Columbus IT, the focus throughout
the organisation is firmly on continued growth and increased profitability. We
have noted growing demand for our industry-specific solutions,' CEO Claus E.
Hansen adds.

As the first half-year came to a close, Microsoft granted Columbus IT due
recognition by re-electing the company to two of the biggest and most
prestigious forums: 'Microsoft Inner Circle' and 'President's Club'. At the same
time, Columbus IT's subsidiary company, the industrial and competency centre
To-Increase, was named Global Microsoft ISV Partner of the Year.

'The staggering number of honours accorded to us by Microsoft cements Columbus
IT's position as one of the leading Microsoft partners in the world. I see these
honours as an expression of the fact that Microsoft backs the course and
strategy that Columbus IT has chosen to pursue, and with Microsoft's choice of
Columbus IT as a permanent partner in the retail sector in Europe our ties have
become even closer,' Columbus IT's CEO Claus E. Hansen concludes.

The first half-year report is available at www.columbusit.com or by request to
CFO Hans Henrik Thrane at hht@dk.columbusit.com and +45 29 69 06 69.

For further information:
CEO Claus E. Hansen, Columbus IT
E-mail: ceh@dk.columbusit.com
Mobile: +45 29 69 06 66

About Columbus IT
Columbus IT operates as a software and service enterprise in the market for
integrated business solutions based on Microsoft Dynamics - primarily for
international, small and medium sized companies. Columbus IT is one of the
leading Microsoft Dynamics software companies, with over 1,000 employees in 27
countries and a total customer base of more than 5,000 small and medium sized
companies as well as business units of larger companies. For further
information, please visit www.columbusit.com.

News Source: NASDAQ OMX

19.08.2010 Ad hoc announcement, Financial News and Press Release distributed by DGAP.
Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de

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Language: English
Company: Columbus IT Partner A/S

          Denmark

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ISIN: DK0010268366
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